If you shop less often but still regularly buy frozen food, start by comparing the usable capacity of the fridge and freezer compartments separately. A fridge freezer suits households that need to share storage between fresh and frozen food. If frozen food makes up most of your reserves, consider a separate freezer instead; a multi-door appliance could work for a large stock-up in a single appliance. A small freezer compartment is mainly worth considering for occasional freezing. Any large model must also fit through to its intended position and be installed in line with its instructions.
If you store both fresh food and a supply of frozen food, compare the usable capacity of each compartment. The total capacity doesn’t show you how the space is divided. UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking into account how often you shop and how much frozen food you eat.
The space set aside for freezing and the layout of the storage compartments both matter when storing the packs you usually buy. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a small freezer compartment may not be enough when frozen food makes up a significant part of your shop.
A multi-door appliance or separate freezer may be worth considering if you have enough space. Before choosing, measure the route to the kitchen too, and check the model’s ventilation instructions.
Worth considering: if you only freeze food occasionally.
The trade-off: UFC-Que Choisir says a small freezer compartment may not be enough if you eat a lot of frozen food.
Worth considering: if you need fresh and frozen food to fit in one appliance, without frozen food making up most of your supplies.
The trade-off: the space allocated to each compartment varies by model, so the total capacity in litres isn’t enough to make your choice.
Worth considering: if you want to organise a large supply of fresh and frozen food in one appliance.
The trade-off: check that its dimensions will allow for delivery, the doors to open and installation in your kitchen.
Worth considering: if frozen food makes up most of your supplies and you’re planning to have a separate fridge.
The trade-off: you’ll need to find a second suitable place to install the appliance.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space for frozen food | Usable capacity of the freezer compartment; how well the drawer shape suits your packs. | When frozen food makes up a large part of my shop, I want to store my packets without crowding the rest of the appliance. Around 36% of consumers prioritise freezer space. |
| Balance of fresh and frozen food | Usable capacity of both compartments and space for bulky fresh food. | If I stock up for several days, I need enough room for fresh food without reducing the space for frozen food too much. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this balance. |
| Organised storage for a large supply | Access to food stored at the back; the layout of the shelves and drawers. | When I have a lot of food in storage, I want to find what I need and fit in packs of different shapes and sizes. Around 21% of consumers put this kind of organisation first. |
| Delivery and installation | Dimensions along the delivery route; door clearance and ventilation gaps specified in the instructions. | Before choosing a large appliance, I need to make sure it will fit through to its intended position and can be installed there. For around 14% of consumers, making sure it will fit comes before extra capacity. |
Two appliances can divide their space differently between refrigeration and freezing. So, a total capacity that looks sufficient doesn’t guarantee enough room for your frozen food.
Check the usable capacity of each compartment and compare it with what you buy on your biggest shops.
UFC-Que Choisir says a freezer compartment may not be enough if you eat a lot of frozen food.
If frozen food is a regular part of your shop, check the capacity actually set aside for freezing and make sure there’s room for the packs you buy.
An appliance may suit your kitchen but still not fit through a doorway, along a corridor or around a corner on the delivery route. LG’s support team also points out that insufficient clearance can make it harder for heat to escape.
Measure the entire route, then check the instructions for your chosen model to find out how much clearance its doors need and what ventilation gaps to allow.
Removing a bulky fridge takes some planning, especially when your new one is arriving.
When you place your order, ask how your old appliance will be taken away and make sure the delivery team can access it.
Freestanding fridge freezers to compare by the space set aside for fresh and frozen food.
Multi-door appliances to consider if you have room for a large supply of food in your kitchen.
A French range that includes fridge freezers, two-door models and American-style appliances.
Freestanding freezers to consider if you’re planning to store frozen food separately from your fridge.
These fridge freezers and multi-door appliances store fresh and frozen food in one appliance. A separate freezer is for storing frozen food alongside a separate fridge. For each model, compare the stated capacity with what you buy and check the usable capacity on the product page.
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Worth considering if you want to store fresh and frozen food in a single multi-door appliance. The product name lists a total capacity of 467 L, Total No Frost and an E energy rating. Compare the usable capacity of each compartment before deciding how much room there is for frozen food.
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An option to compare if you want to store fresh and frozen food in one fridge freezer. The product name lists a total capacity of 360 L, Total No Frost, Wi-Fi and My Zone, as well as an E energy rating. Check the usable capacity of each compartment before making your choice.
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Worth considering for a separate supply of frozen food, as long as you also have a fridge. The product name lists a capacity of 161 L, No Frost, a reversible door hinge and a C energy rating. Check its dimensions and installation instructions before choosing a spot for it.
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Worth considering if you want to organise fresh and frozen food in a four-door appliance. The product name lists a total capacity of 474 L, a Flip Tray system and an E energy rating. If frozen food is your priority, check the freezer compartment’s usable capacity separately.
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Worth comparing if you want to store fresh and frozen food in one appliance and the freezer compartment will hold your supply. The product name lists 120 L of fridge capacity and 50 L of freezer capacity, as well as 40 dB and an E energy rating. Check the usable capacities and installation dimensions for this model.
Compare the usable fridge and freezer capacities separately: the total doesn’t show how much space is set aside for each use. Compare both figures with what you buy, especially the amount of frozen food you store between shops.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a small freezer compartment may not be enough if you eat a lot of frozen food. Compare the freezer capacity of a fridge freezer or multi-door appliance, or consider a separate freezer if frozen food makes up most of your supplies.
Measure the appliance, the space where it will go and the entire route from the entrance, including doorways, corridors and corners. LG recommends planning the route before delivery. Also check that the appliance doors can open once it’s in position.
Follow the clearance requirements in the instructions for your chosen model rather than assuming one distance will suit every appliance. LG and Electrolux installation advice both highlight the need to let air circulate around the fridge.
First, check the instructions for setting up your model. Electrolux’s installation advice recommends waiting at least 4 hours before plugging it in, to allow the oil to flow back into the compressor. Follow the instructions for your specific appliance.